Back Home

We made it back home from Las Vegas! Our last full night we decided to take a limo off the strip as a big group and eat a nice dinner. It was so much fun! We came back to the strip and the boys all played blackjack and us girls stood around and talked about important things like shoes.

Well. Speaking of shoes.

We flew home yesterday on Allegiant Air and ohmygoodness can I just say never again!? The plane was so rickity that I truly didn't know if we would make it home! We had the seats by the exit row and we had the biggest draft coming through the door that my hands were turning blue. I had sandals on and my feet were so cold that Joe took off his (sweaty size 14) tennis shoes and let me stick my feet in them! Nothing says true love like donating your stinky shoes in the name of hypothermia! Ha!

Happy Friday, y'all!!

I'm in Vegas!

I haven't posted in a few days because we've been in Las Vegas since Sunday! We are here for a conference for Joe's work. He and three other residents came and they each brought their wives.

We're staying at the Planet Hollywood towers, which is right off the strip and there are a TON of stores right on the first floor of our hotel. I think Joe is regretting booking this hotel because I wake up every morning and say "let's go shop!!" Ha!

We've also been little piggies!! Our favorite thing to do in Vegas is go to Serendipity and get a big frozen hot chocolate to share. We bought a canister of the mix so we can try to make it ourselves at home. I told Joe we should get enough to fill up our whirlpool tub so I can go swimming in it!! Ha! (diet starts Monday)

Back Home. No Wait.

Hellooooo!!! I'm back from vacation!

That sound you hear is me groaning. Ha!

We had SO MUCH fun!! We did a Caribbean cruise for 7 days - Miami, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and Tortola!

1. We got upgraded for FREE to first class on our flights and then we had the opportunity to upgrade our cruise room to one with a balcony for cheap!! We were so excited!!

2. We did a lot of snorkeling. We saw a couple of huge barracudas (at which time I was seriously re-considering the glitter nail polish I had on because they are attracted to shiny objects! Ha!), a sea cucumber, starfish, etc. We also snorkeled a sunken ship.

By the way, I can't say the word barracuda without thinking of Guitar Hero. I'm a little ashamed to admit that.

3. I tried both rock climbing and shuffleboard for the FIRST time on this ship.

4. Our fourth stop, in the Bahamas was canceled because the water was too bumpy.

5. March Madness started while we were on the ship so we got online and printed out brackets. I have never filled out a bracket before!!

By the way, if you filled out a bracket and you're doing well on it, you clearly chose teams based on how cute their jerseys are. Not that I'm judging. Ha!

When we got home I did something I've never done before by immediately unpacking our suitcases and starting laundry. I was home for about 30 hours and I turned right around and flew to Louisiana. I'll be here for work for eight days.

I must get some gumbo!!

Hope you have a fantastic Monday!!

Florence & Pisa

Here's what I have done the last few days...

Got a rental car in Venice.

Drove 3.5 hours to Florence (in the Tuscan region).



Saw the Duomo Cathederal.


Saw Michelangelo's David (world's most famous statue).

this is the only picture I was able to take
("Study of Form" sculpture) before I got busted for having a camera. Whoops!!

The real David. SO AWESOME in real life.

Got on a train.

view from the train

Rode the train to Pisa, Italy.

Saw the Leaning Tower.


Climbed the tower. The stairs are crazy slanted!!



Gasped for air!

Enjoyed the sunset from the top.



Shopped at the street market in Florence.


Bought scarves and a leather handbag and souvie's for friends.

Venice, Italy

St. Marks Square

Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

26 years ago today... I was born!

Today is my birthday!

And I'm getting on a jet with my mom and aunt for TEN HOURS.

Destination: Italy!

Reason: Work. Well.. I'm working. My mom and aunt will probably goof off!

Does this scare you??

Idaho

I've been on a whirlwind since Thursday!

My Mom and I did our road trip and what I forgot to tell you was that our road trip was centered around the Annual I-36 Treasure Hunt, which is basically a 400 mile fall-festival and garage sale along northern Kansas. Hello, heaven! We had so much fun!

The bad news is I forgot my camera. We literally drove along the highway, stopping at lots of little towns, going through the local garage sales and checking out the festivals or getting something to eat. When we bought something, we would just toss it in the backseat. And you can tell, we weren't conservative with the shopping! Haha! This is one of the only pictures I took on my cell because it cracks me up! What a mess!

I promise we got some good stuff though!

We came home last night and when I got home Joe had decorated our entire living room with candles because 7 years ago yesterday we had our first date! And 4 years ago yesterday he proposed! September 19th is very special to us.

Do you celebrate any other anniversaries besides your wedding anniversary???

Unfortunately, I was home for less than 24 hours because I had to get up for a 6am flight to Idaho this morning for work. I think Boomer was confused why we were waking up while it was still dark outside. Joe sent me this picture this afternoon, I guess he has been sleeping like this all day. Don't mess with a dog and his sleeping habits!


Idaho is a state I have never visited and it's so different than I thought. They have real life tumbleweed here that blows all over the highway. It's very desolate. The town I'm staying in pretty much has a military base and a Wal-Mart. Oh boy it's going to be a fun week! Haha!

Look at this view from my hotel room. Literally NOTHING as far as the eye can see...

ROAD TRIP

I'm going on a ROAD TRIP leaving today. Every time I say or type ROAD TRIP I totally imagine it in the voice of 30 college kids. Or like the Elle Woods' friends say when she declares she's going to Harvard. Yes, I'm going on a road trip. But with my momma!! Haha! Just us girls on the open roads of Kansas. No real plan. It should be fun and I'll share all the details when I get back.

Favorite Vacation Spots

Happy Friday! My bloggy friend Kelly is hosting another carnival and today's topic is VACATIONS. There's nothing I'd rather write about!


My favorite vacation spot is London - it is BY FAR my favorite city in the world (that I've been to!). Joe and I went last summer for about two weeks to Paris and London to celebrate me finishing my undergrad.

Buckingham Palace

Can't go to London without checking out the tele in the famous red booth

We created our own pub crawl...
British Museum
the Rosetta Stone
King's Cross Station (made famous by Harry Potter) and attempted to enter the wizard world through Platform 9 3/4.

One of the best ways to get a great view of the city was from the London Eye. Basically, a huge ferris wheel. We timed the ride for sunset. Perfection.
London Bridge
One of my favorite things we did, visited the longest running play in the West End. Agatha Christie's Mousetrap


Day trip to Windsor Castle, so so pretty

Stonehenge
Roman Baths in Bath, England


touching the "healing waters"We also drank some of the water (very warm and salty)

Joe and I always say if we win the lottery we will buy a country home outside of London and maybe we will pick up a British accent! Haha!